The Black Russian, Vladimir Alexandrov
The Black Russian, Vladimir Alexandrov
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
Club: $9.97

The Black Russian

Author: Vladimir Alexandrov

Narrator: Peter Marinker

Unabridged: 10 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/15/2013


Synopsis

The Black Russian is the incredible story of Frederick Bruce Thomas, born in 1872 to former slaves who became prosperous farmers in Mississippi. A rich white planters attempt to steal their land forced them to flee to Memphis, where Fredericks father was brutally murdered. After leaving the South and working as a waiter and valet in Chicago and Brooklyn, Frederick sought greater freedom in London, then crisscrossed Europe, andin a highly unusual choice for a black American at the timewent to Russia in 1899. Because he found no color line there, Frederick made Moscow his home. He renamed himself Fyodor Fyodorovich Tomas, married twice, acquired a mistress, and took Russian citizenship. Through his hard work, charm, and guile he became one of the citys richest and most famous owners of variety theaters and restaurants. But the Bolshevik Revolution ruined him, and he barely escaped with his life and family to Constantinople in 1919. Starting from scratch, he made a second fortune by opening celebrated nightclubs that introduced jazz to Turkey. However, the long arm of American racism, the xenophobia of the new Turkish Republic, and Fredericks own extravagance landed him in debtors prison. He died in Constantinople in 1928.

About Vladimir Alexandrov

Vladimir Alexandrov
received a PhD in comparative literature from Princeton. He taught Russian
literature and culture at Harvard before moving to Yale, where he is B. E.
Bensinger Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures. He is the author of
books on Bely, Nabokov, and Tolstoy and has published numerous articles on
various other Russian writers and topics.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Lit Folio on May 18, 2013

This had to be one of the delightful surprise readings of the year for me. I read a brief review of this, and simply put the title on my hold list at the library. There were only a few of us in the queue for this one, so when it became available, I thought, oh what the heck, let's give this a try.........more

Goodreads review by Caroline on February 07, 2016

Now this is the kind of history I love! Vladimir Alexandrov has unearthed the most extraordinary life, of a man no-one would ever have heard of otherwise, and spun it into a book I simply could not put down. Frederick Bruce Thomas wasn't famous, he didn't move in exalted circles or participate in ev......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on November 28, 2015

This is an unforgettable biography -- a real gem of a story about a brilliant, ambitious black man who found great fortune in Russia. Alexandrov clearly researched his subject meticulously and has grew quite fond of Frederick Bruce Thomas. He brings Thomas' incredible story to vivid life against the......more

Goodreads review by RYCJ on April 13, 2013

The Black Russian is a must to experience. Aside from Frederick’s awe-inspiring business acumen built on intelligence, charm, and courage, this account teems with historical references of multifaceted affairs taking place all over the world, and is weaved into an unforgettable account. Yes, the pass......more